Mitsubishi Carisma DA
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Carisma was Mitsubishi's stab at the compact class — built at the Dutch NedCar plant on the platform it shared with the Volvo S40/V40 I. Buyer profile: someone after a dirt-cheap, anonymous daily that they can live with despite the usual age-related gripes.
The engines: The one to buy is the 4G92 (1.6L, 76 kW). Tough cast-iron block, easily clears 250,000 km with care. The only critical point: the timing belt runs an interference design — a snap means a destroyed engine (sev5). Stick to the interval, and replace the tensioner pulley, which likes to wear. Steer clear of the 4G93 GDI (1.8L, 92 kW) if the history is murky: Mitsubishi's early direct injection cokes the intake badly (sev4/prob4), the high-pressure pump dies, plugs foul up. A bottomless money pit on short-trip cars. The F9Q (1.9 DI-D, 75/85 kW) is a bought-in Renault diesel (dCi) — solid, but injectors and turbo (each sev4) are the expensive items.
Whole car: Rust is the headline — sills, arches, tailgate (up to €1,200). Up front, ball joints and control arms wear (€120–350 from 90,000 km). The ignition lock sticks and the immobiliser turns flaky (€120–400) — a classic Carisma annoyance. Add seized rear calipers and failing windows/central locking.
Test drive: Cycle the immobiliser several times (must fire instantly). Probe the tailgate and sills with a screwdriver. On the GDI: cold start, idle stumble and a flat spot on acceleration. On the diesel, watch for black smoke and part-load hesitation.
Market 2026: €500–1,800, diesels slightly above. Insider pick: a cared-for 1.6 with a complete timing-belt record. Only touch the GDI if the intake has provably been cleaned — otherwise walk away.
125 PS
Carisma · Benzin
Low-key long-distance runner
Decent118–125 PS
1.8L GDI Benzin
4 weaknesses
Stay Away!Body Variants
The Mitsubishi Carisma DA is available as Sedan and Hatchback — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Engine Overview
The Mitsubishi Carisma DA is available with 3 engine variants — from 99 to 125 hp.
The F9Q comes from Renault — the 1.9 dCi that Mitsubishi bought in for the Carisma and Space Star (also used in the Megane, Laguna, Volvo S40/V40 and Nissan Primera). A common-rail diesel with timing-belt drive and a Garrett turbo, around 100 to 116 hp depending on version. Typical weak spots are worn or leaking injectors (jerking under part load, black smoke on cold start) and the coked-up EGR valve plus clogged intake manifold, which cause power loss and limp mode. The turbo is sensitive to clogged or coked oil feed lines. A sturdy block, but injectors and EGR are the recurring trouble spots.
- !! Turbocharger failure from 140,000 km
The turbocharger on the F9Q is a typical weak point. Shaft play, oil supply problems, and heat damage lead to power loss and limp mode, typically from 120,000–160,000 km.
Symptoms: Whistling noise from turbo, power loss, blue/white smoke clouds, limp mode - !! Injector failure from 120,000 km
The common-rail injectors on the F9Q are prone to fouling and mechanical wear. Faulty injection leads to engine misfires and an 'injection fault' error code.
Symptoms: Engine stumbling, misfires, difficult cold start, 'injection fault' warning displayed - !! Timing belt failure from 90,000 km
The F9Q uses a timing belt drive with a 90,000 km replacement interval. Exceeding it risks engine damage. Replace water pump at the same time. When buying a Carisma, demand proof of service.
Symptoms: Engine cranks without firing, engine damage after belt failure
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Robust 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine with belt drive and a solid cast-iron block — an uncomplicated everyday unit with no notable inherent weaknesses that easily exceeds 250,000 km when cared for. The key item is the timing belt: this is an interference engine, so a snapped belt or a jumped tooth causes piston-to-valve contact and catastrophic damage. Replace every 90,000 km or at the latest after five to six years, always renewing the tensioner and idler pulley at the same time — early pre-1997 builds are known for premature tensioner-pulley wear. With age the crankshaft seals and valve-cover gasket tend to weep oil, and throttle-body deposits can cause a rough idle. Otherwise mechanically undemanding and good-natured.
- !! Timing belt failure (neglected replacement) from 90,000 km
Like all timing belt engines of this era, a broken belt on the 4G92 causes total engine failure through valve collision. Strictly observe the 90,000 km or 6-year replacement interval. Verify with a service history check before purchase.
Symptoms: Engine cranks without firing, loud metallic noise on start attempt, engine won't start - !! Timing belt tensioner pulley wear from 100,000 km
Especially early builds suffer premature tensioner-pulley bearing wear. A worn pulley lets the belt wander or lose tension — in this interference engine that risks a jumped tooth and valve damage. Always renew the pulley with every belt change.
Symptoms: Squealing or chirping from the front belt drive, erratic timing marks, belt tracking off-centre or fraying. - ! Crankshaft radial seal leaking from 120,000 km
On the 4G92 Carisma the front crankshaft radial seal frequently leaks after 100,000–150,000 km. Oil gets onto the timing belt and accelerates its wear — check immediately if an oil leak is found.
Symptoms: Oil drops under the front of the engine, oil visible on the timing belt cover
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Mitsubishi's first-generation gasoline direct injection (GDI) and one of the earliest production direct-injection engines at all. Technically ambitious with lean-burn operation and high injection pressure, but in practice very sensitive to poor fuel quality and short trips. The core issue is carbon coking: because no fuel washes over the intake valves, soot from the EGR and crankcase ventilation builds up in the intake tract and on the valve faces, causing stumbling, rough idle and power loss, typically around 2,000 rpm. Regular intake-tract cleaning (walnut-shell blasting) plus a working EGR and a clean throttle body are essential. The map-controlled high-pressure pump wears over time and triggers limp mode and starting problems. Oil-fouled spark plugs call for short replacement intervals. Durable with consistent care, quickly temperamental when neglected.
- !! Intake tract carboned up from 80,000 km
The first GDI generation suffers severely from carbon build-up in the intake tract and on the intake valves. Soot deposits narrow the ports and disrupt mixture formation. Forum users report this as the cause in 95% of GDI problems.
Symptoms: Rough idle through to stalling, power loss, increased fuel consumption, stumbling under load - !! GDI high-pressure pump failed from 120,000 km
The high-pressure pump of the first GDI generation is prone to leaks and pressure loss. Mitsubishi requires complete replacement — repair is not provided for. New parts cost around 1,000 EUR.
Symptoms: Engine stumbles under acceleration, starting problems, fluctuating fuel pressure, check engine light - !! Spark plugs oil-fouled and sooted up from 30,000 km
The GDI injection causes heavy oil fouling and sooting of the spark plugs. Forum reports show plugs saturated with petrol and oil. Shorter replacement intervals (maximum 30,000 km) are advisable.
Symptoms: Difficult cold start, rough idle at 300–400 rpm, stumbling at low rpm
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Front axle ball joints and control arms worn The front axle ball joints develop play and clunk over bumps. More robust control arms only came in from mid-1998 onwards. On earlier build dates regular front axle checks are essential. Symptoms: Clunking over bumps, imprecise steering, uneven tyre wear from 90,000 km | Low |
Alternatives
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 20 weaknesses have been documented for the Mitsubishi Carisma DA (1995–2004) — 13 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. One problem engine: 4G93 (1.8L GDI). Typical issues affect Suspension, Electronics, Body, Rust.
Carisma (F9Q, 2000–2004) — Be Careful: Turbocharger failure, Injector failure, Timing belt failure. Power: 102 PS.
Carisma (F9Q, 2000–2004) — Be Careful: Turbocharger failure, Injector failure, Timing belt failure. Power: 116 PS.
Carisma (4G92, 1995–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt failure (neglected replacement), Timing belt tensioner pulley wear, Crankshaft radial seal leaking. Power: 99–103 PS.
Carisma (4G93, 1997–2004) — Stay Away!: Intake tract carboned up, GDI high-pressure pump failed, Spark plugs oil-fouled and sooted up. Power: 122–125 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mitsubishi Carisma? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Mitsubishi Carisma DA have? +
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee